Hydraulic Crimping Tool with a Pressure Indicator

ABSTRACT

A hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator includes a pump body having a first end connected to a handle and a second end connected to a head. The pump body includes a pressure switch disposed at a side, with the pressure switch having a lever mounted thereto. The head includes a second jaw and a first jaw, with the first jaw comprising a piston, and with the piston being actuated by the pump body. The hydraulic crimping tool also includes a lower die disposed on the piston and an upper die disposed on the second jaw. The head also includes an indicator mounted thereto for displaying a pressure reading. The indicator includes a panel disposed at a side of the head and a strain gauge mounted to the second jaw. The strain gauge is electrically connected to the panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hydraulic crimping tool, in particular, to a hydraulic crimping tool including a pressure indicator.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 308258, a conventional hydraulic crimping tool includes a pump body 12, a handle 13 which extends axially from an end of the pump body 12, a head 10 disposed on an end of the pump body 12 opposite to the handle 13 and a handle 14 disposed at a side of the pump body 12. The head 10 also includes a piston 11 in which the piston 11 is desirably biased during the crimping operation. The piston 11 is disposed within the head 10.

In respect of this conventional hydraulic crimping tool, as the piston 11 is controlled by the hydraulic fluid inside the pump body 12, it is not easy for a person with limited experience in using the crimping tool to apply a regular force during operation. If the applied force is underdone, the terminal is likely to come loose from an end of the cable. On the contrary, if the applied force is overdone, the force can fracture the terminal and possibly damage the head 10.

Therefore, the present invention is intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator includes a pump body having a first end connected to a handle and a second end connected to a head. The pump body also includes a pressure switch disposed at a side, with the pressure switch having a lever mounted thereto. The head includes a second jaw and a first jaw, with the first jaw comprising a piston, and with the piston being actuated by the hydraulic fluid disposed inside the pump body. The hydraulic crimping tool also includes a lower die disposed on the piston and an upper die disposed on the second jaw. The head also includes an indicator mounted thereto for displaying a pressure reading. The indicator includes a panel disposed at a side of the head and a strain gauge mounted to the second jaw. The strain gauge is electrically connected to the panel.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a hydraulic crimping tool that with a pressure indicator allowing the user to accomplish a good crimping result with great efficiency.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the present disclosure to be easily understood and readily practiced, the present disclosure will now be described for the purpose of illustration not limitation, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another side elevation view of a hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a hydraulic crimping tool 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a pump body 11 having a first end and a second end, with the first end including a handle 12 and the second end including a head 13 connected thereto respectively. The pump body 11 includes a pressure switch 14 disposed at a side, with the pressure switch 14 having a lever 15 mounted thereto. The user can operate the lever 15 to control the hydraulic fluid flown into the pump body 11.

The head 13 is comprised of a first jaw 131 and a second jaw 132. The first jaw 131 includes a piston 133 moveable among various positions and the piston 133 is moved by the hydraulic fluid disposed in the pump body 11. The hydraulic crimping tool of the present invention also includes a lower die 134 formed on the piston 133 and an upper die 135 corresponding with the lower die 134 formed on the second jaw 132, with the upper die 135 and the lower die 134 defining a space 136 in a shape of a hexagon.

The hydraulic crimping tool embodying the present invention also includes an indicator 20 mounted to the head 13. The indicator 20 includes a panel 21 having a plurality of push buttons 211, a strain gauge 22 affixed to the second jaw 132, an alarm 23, and a plurality of warning lights 24 installed on the panel 21. The push buttons 211 are adapted for powering on, powering off, setting the pressure limit, storing the pressure reading and zeroing of the indicator 20.

The indicator 20 also includes a circuit board, battery and electrical components such as signal processor and amplifier disposed therein.

The strain gauge 22 is electrically connected to the circuit board by two signal lines 221. After the strain gauge 22 detects and sends an impedance change to the signal processor and the amplifier, the processed pressure value is displayed on the panel 21 thereafter.

The alarm 23 serves the purpose of warning the user that the preset pressure for the hydraulic crimping toot is obtained. The warning lights 24 serve the purpose of representing power status of the indicator 20 or indicating whether the preset pressure is obtained. Optionally, the warning lights 24 may use red and green LED lights.

In use of the hydraulic crimping tool, the indicator 20 is powered on, and the lever 15 is used to cause the piston 133 disposed inside of the first jaw 131 to extend outwards so that the lower die 134 moves towards the upper die 135. Once the strain gauge 22 of the indicator 20 detects the lower die 134 imparts a force to the upper die 135, the panel 21 will display a precise calculated pressure for observation of the user so as to accomplish a good crimping result with great efficiency.

Therefore, in one aspect of the hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator embodying the present invention, the user can accomplish a good crimping result with great efficiency. In another aspect of the present invention, the alarm 23 serves the purpose of warning the user of many instances, such as the preset pressure during the operation of the hydraulic crimping tool is obtained. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the warning lights 24 serve the purpose of representing power status of the indicator 20 or indicating whether the preset pressure is obtained.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims. 

1. The hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator comprising: a pump body having a first end and a second end including a handle and a head connected thereto respectively, with the head being comprised of a first jaw and a second jaw, with the fist jaw including a piston moved by hydraulic fluid disposed in the pump body, with the piston including a lower die defined thereof, and with the second jaw including a upper die defined thereof, a pressure switch being disposed at a side of the pump body, with the pressure switch including a lever mounted thereto such that the user can use to operate the pressure switch and; an indicator mounted to the head for displaying a pressure reading including a panel and a strain gauge affixed to the second jaw, with the strain gauge being electrically connected to the panel.
 2. The hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the panel includes a plurality of push buttons used for powering on, powering off, setting pressure, storing pressure reading and zeroing of the indicator.
 3. The hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the indicator includes an alarm, with the alarm being adapted for warning the user that the preset pressure for the hydraulic crimping tool is obtained.
 4. The hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator as claimed in claim 3 wherein the indicator includes a plurality of warning lights installed on the panel, with the warning lights being adapted for representing power status of the indicator and indicating whether the preset pressure is achieved.
 5. The hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper die and the lower die define a space.
 6. The hydraulic crimping tool with a pressure indicator as claimed in claim 5 wherein the space is in a shape of a hexagon. 